Inspect the cell
Look for dents, torn wrap exposing metal, corrosion, leaks, swelling, heat, chemical smell, burn marks, or signs that the cell was crushed. If anything looks unsafe, do not place it in a retail collection bin.
Lithium-ion safety guide
Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling & Safe Disposal
How to prepare 18650, 21700, and other removable lithium-ion cells before recycling or drop-off.
Quick checklist
Before you take old cells anywhere
Even a cell that will not run your device may still hold enough energy to short if the positive and negative ends touch metal or another battery. Prepare each cell first, then confirm that your drop-off location accepts loose lithium-ion cells.
Do not trash it
Loose lithium-ion cells need separate recycling or hazardous waste handling.
Tape both ends
Cover the positive and negative terminals with non-conductive tape.
Use a plastic container
A case, clear bag, or non-metal box keeps terminals from touching conductive objects.
Separate damaged cells
Hot, swollen, leaking, crushed, burned, or odd-smelling cells need local hazardous waste instructions.
Safe preparation
3 steps for intact 18650 and 21700 cells
Tape the terminals
Cover the top and bottom terminal with electrical tape, clear packing tape, Kapton tape, or another non-conductive tape that stays attached. The goal is to prevent accidental short circuits during handling.
Carry it safely
Put taped cells in a plastic battery case, clear bag, or non-metal container. Keep them away from keys, coins, tools, jewelry, nickel strip, copper strip, and other batteries until drop-off.
Where to recycle
Use a real battery drop-off, not the household bin
Drop-off rules vary by store, city, county, battery type, and battery condition. Search by ZIP code, then confirm the location accepts removable lithium-ion cells before driving there.
Open The Battery Network locatorThe Battery Network locator
Best first stop for finding nearby battery recycling drop-off locations and checking accepted battery types.
Household hazardous waste
City or county HHW programs are often the right path for loose cells, larger quantities, and anything that looks damaged.
Electronics recyclers
Some e-waste recyclers and community collection events accept lithium-ion cells, battery packs, and devices with batteries installed.
Participating retailers
Some hardware and electronics retailers have rechargeable battery bins. Ask first, especially for bare cylindrical cells.
Damaged battery warning
If the cell is swollen, hot, leaking, crushed, or burned
Do not ship it, carry it loose, charge it again, or place it in a standard retail drop box. If it is safe to move, isolate it away from flammable material and contact your local household hazardous waste facility or your local fire department non-emergency line for instructions. If it is smoking, venting, burning, or spreading heat, call emergency services.
DIY500AMP mail-back note
DIY500AMP does not run a public mail-back recycling program. For intact end-of-life cells, local drop-off is usually the simplest path. For damaged cells, use local hazardous waste guidance.
Before recycling
Is the cell actually bad?
Recycle cells that no longer hold charge, trigger charger errors, get unusually hot, sit at unsafe low voltage, or show physical damage. If the only issue is a torn PVC wrapper and the metal can is otherwise healthy, rewrapping may be the right repair before reuse.
Customer questions
Battery recycling FAQ
Can I put 18650 or 21700 cells in the trash?
No. Use a dedicated battery recycling drop-off, electronics recycler, or household hazardous waste program. Loose lithium-ion cells can short, spark, or catch fire when crushed or mixed with conductive material.
Should I tape the terminals?
Yes. Tape the positive and negative terminals before drop-off. You can also place each cell in its own plastic bag if that is easier for transport.
Can I use a store drop-off bin?
Only if that location accepts your battery type and condition. Use the locator first, then confirm the site accepts loose removable lithium-ion cells.
Can I mail old cells to DIY500AMP?
Not as a public recycling service. Shipping lithium batteries is regulated, and damaged batteries require special handling. Local drop-off or HHW guidance is the safer customer path.
What if the wrap is torn?
If the cell is otherwise healthy and only the PVC wrap is damaged, rewrap it before use. If the metal can is dented, corroded, leaking, swollen, hot, or burned, treat it as damaged and recycle it through local hazardous waste guidance.